towing capacity ?

[quis84]

i am new to the site and the x but i was searching and was trying to find out about the towing capacity on a 4.0 98 xlt. right now my truck does not have the tow hitch on the frame yet i wanted to know would the truck be able to pull my other car to the track with out many problem the car is a crx so it weighes about 2400lbs at the heaviest would i be able to tow this with just putting a hitch ball in the bumper or shoud i just get the set up that mounts directly to the frame any help would be appreciated

 

[Larry2010]

I think the max towing is 5400-5600 with the standard towing capacity rated around 2000. BUT you might seriously consider a trany cooler. As far as the bumper ball towing, I did that with a 5x10 trailer pretty heavily loaded with furniture and bent the bumper brackets a little. In theory it wouldn't be a problem but I'll put on a real hitch before I tow anything more than a little utility trailer. Do a search here for towing and you'll find some good info.

 

[BrianV]

I think the max towing capacity off of the bumper is 3,500 lbs, at least my 90 V8 is, but I'm nearly positive the V6 is the same.

Off the frame, the max is either 5,000 or 6,000.

 

[BrianV]

PS, a Reese tubular hitch with a 5k recommended max, 6k total maximum can be had for under $110 from advance autoparts. It looks great, is super easy to install. I'd just do that and be done with it. You would need ot spend another $20-$30 on a ball to go in the receiver.

I just put one on for my Yakima bike rack. I've heard a lot of people bend their bumper on explorers by towing via the bumper.

My parents had a 91 explorer and used to tow a uhaul with 1000-1500 lbs via the bumper and never had problems, but that's not as severe as towing a car.

For other members: My V8 has the tow package (electronics wired); someone once told me that means the car has a tranny cooler.

 

[quis84]

thanks i am going to get the trailor hitch for the frame them i just need this for the summer to tow my car to the track and back home thats like a 2&1/2 hour drive and ill also look in to the tranny cooler also but thats good to know the car is real light tho truth be told i dont think the truck will really struggle pullin a 2200lb car just wanted to comfirm this

 

[MountaineerGreen]

PS, a Reese tubular hitch with a 5k recommended max, 6k total maximum can be had for under $110 from advance autoparts. It looks great, is super easy to install. I'd just do that and be done with it. You would need ot spend another $20-$30 on a ball to go in the receiver.

I just put one on for my Yakima bike rack. I've heard a lot of people bend their bumper on explorers by towing via the bumper.

My parents had a 91 explorer and used to tow a uhaul with 1000-1500 lbs via the bumper and never had problems, but that's not as severe as towing a car.

For other members: My V8 has the tow package (electronics wired); someone once told me that means the car has a tranny cooler.

You are correct, my 01 V8 has a factory installed tranny cooler